Jason Snelling announces his retirement

The Falcons had a decision to make about running back Jason Snelling’s future with the team before he took it out of their hands on Tuesday.

Snelling announced his retirement from the NFL after seven seasons via the team. Snelling was set to make $1.375 million next season, a good-sized sum for a backup running back on a team that needs to upgrade its offensive line this offseason.

He ends his career with 363 carries for 1,420 yards and eight touchdowns. Snelling was often used on passing downs throughout his career and wound up with 168 catches for 1,249 yards and nine touchdowns as well.

Those are modest totals, but not bad for a seventh-round pick. Snelling started his career with Atlanta as the 244th pick of 2007 draft, so a career of this length was much more than anyone expected when Snelling entered the league. Stephen Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers and Antone Smith remain on the Falcons roster at running back.

Sad to see Jason go! He contributed alot over the past few years and
Prolly played better than any other RB on the team last year! Hopefully this gies Antoine Smith the chance to break out as he showed flashes of being very good in very limited oppurtunity! Enjoy retirement Jason!

Smart move by him. He’s made millions of dollars. So he’s getting out young, healthy and wealthy.

vicvinegar00 says:Mar 5, 2014 5:24 AM

I guess I’m the only one who thinks “professional back up” is the best position in sport.

Make $500k a year (or $1M in this case) for working out all year and having a sideline seat to watch the game. You don’t play, so less wear and tear on the body for when you do wear out your welcome in the league. If you are lucky, you put in 8 mediocre years and come out with $4-5M in the bank and in great physical shape. Not bad.